Karen Lethbridge

Karen is an education consultant based in Manawatu. She works in schools across the sector in the following areas:

• assessment for learning

• literacy

• curriculum development

• coaching leadership teams and observation practices

• assessment tools and data literacy

• PaCT and Learning Progressions.

Karen’s strong background in assessment for learning enables leaders and teachers to develop students who are active learners and have agency in their learning.  She works collaboratively to develop PLD that is tailored and responsive to need.

Karen has held various leadership roles and taught across all levels as a primary teacher. She has worked as a Leadership and Assessment facilitator, has a strong background in literacy, and has facilitated the MoE's Accelerated Learning in Literacy (ALL) programme. 

With a deep understanding and knowledge of the New Zealand Curriculum, Karen enables schools to develop cohesive curriculum plans. She believes co-constructed, sequential learning, supported by strong assessment practices, motivates students to engage and succeed, and creates sustainable systems and practices for schools.

Karen values a collaborative approach when working with leaders and teachers to support them in embedding and maintaining new learning in PLD. This includes development of co-constructed observation processes, practice analysis and identification of effective pedagogies. She works with teachers and leaders to strengthen practice, and use evidence-based inquiry to improve student outcomes. 

Outside work, Karen enjoys spending time in her “happy places”—Central Plateau, her garden, and the organic dairy farm she lives on with her family.